Dundee United coach Darren Jackson believes John Souttar is closer to becoming a complete player after adding a harder edge to his game.
No-one has ever doubted “Soapy’s” natural ability but the teenage centre-half has been working hard on the training paddock, learning how to deal with the more physical aspects of his position.
That graft is now paying off as shown by Souttar’s performance against Motherwell in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.
Jackson said: “I thought Soapy was outstanding. He was up against a difficult opponent in John Sutton.
“He handled him fantastically well and came up with the goal too. That will do his confidence the world of good.
“I honestly believe he’s got that aggression in his game now.
“We know he takes chances, but that’s why he’s such a good player on the ball.
“But I think on the defensive side of things, he’s more aggressive, which you can see by the way he’s winning headers.
“If he keeps adding that to his game, there’s only one way that boy is going.
“On the training ground, he can work on his headers, and play against the big strikers we’ve got as well to learn.
“With the natural ability he’s got to take the ball in tight situations, he drives out and at one point in the second-half against Motherwell he picked the ball up on the right edge of the penalty area, and took four of their players out of the game.
“It’s amazing to watch a young kid like that.”
Jackson also paid tribute to the contribution from Calum Butcher against the Steelmen.
The former Spurs youth player came on at half-time for Charlie Telfer and his powerful performance in midfield helped turn the game around for United.
Jackson said: “I’m absolutely delighted for him. He’s had a bit of a hard time.
“He’s been out the team for a long time but has shown a great attitude.
“I think Calum’s a lot happier playing in the middle of the park now. When he first came, he played centre-half and then right-back.
“He’s got a great turn of pace and good aggression. On top of that, he’s good on the ball.
“In the recent St Mirren game and Motherwell at the weekend, he’s given himself a good chance.
“I thought he was excellent when he went on for Charlie.
“He’s probably a bit different to what we’ve got in midfield in terms of power.
“With his pace, he gives us another option.
“It was no slight on Charlie’s performance at half-time, but we just had to change the formation.”
United had to make a last-minute alteration prior to the Motherwell game with Keith Watson coming in to replace the ill Jarek Fojut.
Watson certainly seized his chance, scoring what proved to be the winning goal for the Tangerines.
Jackson said: “There are no fresh injuries. John Rankin may join in training later in the week but Mario Bilate is still a bit away.
“Jarek just had some sickness on Friday night and obviously that was it.
“When the big man says he’s not fit, then he’s not fit.
“He was pure white and was struggling in the warm-up.
“But we’ve got a big squad and a good squad which we proved.
“We believe that everyone is a first-team player, and that they are all good enough to play.
“Keith Watson came in against Motherwell and did very well.
“He’s been out for a while not getting a game and to get the goal was the icing on the cake for him.”